Devotion
God Hires His Own Employees
David Jacobs
I was often an unruly child. I would fight with my siblings, talk back to my parents, lie about childish things and be about as imperfect as children are supposed to be as we learn life's important lessons.
My parents had tried everything to keep my three brothers and me in line; groundings, confiscation of favorite toys, cancelling exciting plans. These acts of discipline often seemed to provide temporary fixes to the problems that a household of boys provided.
One Sunday morning, as we prepared for church, my parents asked my brothers and me if we had cleaned our teeth after breakfast. I wanted 5 more minutes in front of the television so I lied and said I had. My parents knew I wasn't telling the truth because I hadn't moved since I crawled out of bed to enjoy weekend cartoons. My mother was furious: "how dare I lie about such a trivial thing?"
But my father stayed calm and enacted wisdom that I will never forget. Instead of shouting or losing his temper, he told me "Today you will confess to Pastor Chris. You will tell him that you lied to your parents, fought with your brothers and made back chat." Pastor Chris was such a pure, positive and thoughtful man. The thought of him knowing that I misbehaved made me feel a deep sadness. I turned to see Pastor Chris walking in my direction, eyes fixed on me, but he didn't seem mad. He explained that my parents had told him that I had some confessions to make. I said I was too embarrassed, that I didn't want to look bad in front of him and God. He laughed and probed me to keep talking.
I said, "You are a kind, patient and friendly person. And God created me, provides for me and keeps me safe."
He smiled, patted me on the head and said 'Does that not describe your parents, too?' and with that, he walked off, leaving me to reflect.
How embarrassed was I that I felt no shame in the way I had behaved for my parents, those who were doing God's work without a robe or veil?
It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of our pastors, ministers and missionaries (and anyone else who also helps keep the gospel of peace).
Prayer
They are our anchors in spreading the word of Christ, the compass that navigates others to salvation and the boat that carries us from sin.
Devotion
Abraham is Father of All
Frances Taylor
There are questions in every age about the importance of the Old Testament for Christians. Abraham is considered to be the Father of Faith for Jews, Christians and Muslims. We forget that it was Abraham who believed in the doctrine of only one God. It is through him and his descendants that this tradition comes down to us. Another fact that we can overlook is that Jesus was Jewish. He was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, died, rose and ascended into heaven as a Jew. Because we believe that he was the Messiah, the Christ, and we follow him, we are called Christian. Without the Old Testament, we wouldn't understand the promise of salvation; we wouldn't understand why it was important for Jesus to be of the family of King David. We would not understand his teaching either, because Jesus quoted from Scripture – the Old Testament – frequently. He told us that he came to fulfill the Scriptures, not to abolish them. In the same way, we can ...
Morning Prayer
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Inspiration
We have a responsibility, as Christians, to abstain from the sinful practices we partook in before we became saved. While it may be a gradual process of change, we should ensure that we are putting in our best to play our part in resisting temptation. God enables us to resist temptation, but it is up to us to actually resist.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that I will always be a person of action. Father, I take delight in my new life in you and I do not desire otherwise. I pray that in times of temptation, may I act on the strength you have given me to flee and/or resist. May I never rely on excuses or procrastination, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Inspiration
We have chosen to surrender our lives and serve the Lord. We serve Him by witnessing, completing missionary projects, and ministering to those in need. There is always work to do and a world full of people to help. We will look for opportunities to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ by any means necessary. We are servants to one another as a service to the Lord; He will never forsake us.
Prayer
Dear God, Help us see the world through Your eyes. We desire to serve those around us by reflecting Your love through our actions. You will never forsake us, and we will continually lift praises of thanksgiving to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
